It was a big game for Louisville football on Monday night, complete with a 31-13 win over Miami and a welcome-to-the-Atlantic Coast Conference party at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

It was also a big game for the 16 Louisville players who either made their first career starts, their first college appearances or simply their first appearance in a Louisville jersey.

Saturday's 7 p.m. game against in-state FCS program Murray State could provide chances for several other newcomers and reserves to appear in the record books.

"You would hope it played out that way and you're able to get guys in and get experience," U of L coach Bobby Petrino said, "but we've just got to worry about playing well."

Playing well will almost definitely lead to a second half full of Louisville reserves. Cardinals fans seem most interested in freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon, the No. 2 signal caller on the depth chart who didn't see the field in the Miami game.

Bonnafon, a Trinity High School grad, was ready to play if Louisville needed him on Monday, U of L offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said.

"He's an extreme athlete," McGee said. "Sometimes when you're an athlete like that, you can make plays on accident."

Even with Bonnafon missing Monday's game, seven true or redshirt freshmen made their first appearances for Louisville.

Freshman tailback LJ Scott took three carries for three yards and recorded a tackle on special teams. Fellow freshman Charles Standberry, a tight end, made one catch for two yards, but it was a touchdown reception.

On defense, freshman Trumaine Washington made an appearance at cornerback as expected.

Redshirt freshmen Dontez Byrd, Chucky Williams, Stacy Thomas and Johnny Richardson all played in their first games.

Several older players made their first career starts: Center Tobijah Hughley and sophomore receiver James Quick (three catches, 40 yards) were new starters on offense.

On defense, nose tackle DeAngelo Brown (one quarterback hurry), inside linebacker Keith Kelsey (five tackles, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hurry) and safety transfer James Sample (eight tackles, one interception) all made their first starts of their college careers.